'Chris never ceases to amaze'

More from Team Sky principal David Brailsford on ITV4: "Nairo Quintana is the biggest threat this time, so in a race like this you have to take every second we can.

"The descent shows a lot about Chris himself. He made the decision and when he sees the opportunity, he takes it and he never ceases to amaze. That's why he's won two Tours de France.

"We aren't scared of putting our necks on the line and we did the work when others decided not to. If they don't want to take responsibility, fine. We will. If you want to win the Tour de France you have to step forward. So it's a nice start."

'We had the element of surprise'

Team Sky principal David Brailsford on ITV4: "When people start thinking you're predictable and conservative and everything else, you always have the element of surprise. We thought we'd use that this year. For Sergio Henao to attack when he did, that shook things up and it we had an opportunity from there. We get criticism for being poor downhill so why not?"

'I had some big gears on'

More from Chris Froome on ITV4: "It definitely wasn’t planned, I went to the top and thought 'why not'? I knew the descent was long and fast and I had some big gears on so it was in the back of my mind. I heard on the radio I had a gap so I just went for it to the finish. I spent a lot of energy there but everyone pedalled fast on the descent.

"We do mess round in training racing each other downhill sometimes, so that came in handy, but thanks to my team - they rode so hard all day and the peloton was on the limit."